A nationally important bid has been submitted which could see a high tech employment area on Ellesmere Port’s doorstep become part of an enterprise zone.

The initiative is intended to secure major growth for Cheshire’s ‘Science Corridor’ which links together Cheshire and Warrington’s nationally and internationally significant research facilities running from the University of Chester’s Thornton Science Park and leading companies in Ellesmere Port through to enterprises in north and east Cheshire.

If successful, the bid for enterprise zone status to drive the growth of the science corridor, which has been submitted to the Government, would significantly boost the number of science and innovation businesses in Cheshire and Warrington, create new jobs and attract in the region of £100m to be reinvested in essential infrastructure.

The initiative has been developed by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as a key feature of the sub-region’s bid to the Government for devolved powers. It is argued these would support the growth of the area’s economy to more than double its current size by 2040 to £50bn.

LEP chairman Christine Gaskell said: “Cheshire and Warrington is home to a leading and nationally significant science sector.

“Its growth will not only support our ambitions outlined in our devolution growth bid to deliver a £50bn economy in the next 25 years but will support the government’s Northern Powerhouse vision and the growth of the sector at national level.

“Our aim is to make Cheshire and Warrington the best place in the country to set up and grow a business and the enterprise zone will be a flagship of this initiative.”

At Thornton Science Park, Paul Vernon, chief executive of Thornton Research Properties, added: “It’s great news for Thornton Science Park to be included in this nationally significant bid for enterprise zone status as part of the Cheshire Science Corridor which will help us to fully realise the potential of the park as a major research and innovation hub and a centre of excellence.

“This would be a welcome boost for businesses based here and ensure we are well placed to attract more companies to benefit from our leading facilities and will help us to continue our aspirations for growth.”